{"product_id":"21680-pianists-backhaus-wilhelm-brailowsky-alexander-diemer-louis-joseph-grunfeld-alfred-herz-henri-jaell-alfred-kind-sylvia-kullak-theodor-181","title":"[Pianists] Backhaus, Wilhelm. (1884-1969) \u0026 Braïlowsky, Alexander. (1896-1976) \u0026 Diémer, Louis-Joseph. (1843-1919)  \u0026 Grünfeld, Alfred. (1852-1924) \u0026 Herz, Henri. (1803-1888) Jaell, Alfred. (1832-1882) \u0026  Kind, Sylvia.  (1907-2002) \u0026 Kullak, Theodor. (181","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn impressive collection of 40 ALS (including a few postcards) from a variety of illustrious European pianists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWilhelm Backhaus (1884-1969): \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTo unidentified \"Madame la Comtesse.\" In French. [Paris], rue de la Boëtie, April 16, 1913. 2 pp. Blue bifolium. Asks recipient to attend his concert on the same night and announces a visit to recipient in the next few days. 6 x 4.5 inches (15.5 x 11.3 cm).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eAlexander Braïlowsky (1896-1976) (2): \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTwo ALS. In French.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e1. To unidentified male recipient—probably Henri Prunières (1886-1942), at the time editor of \u003ci\u003eLa Revue Musicale\u003c\/i\u003e and organizer of its concert series. Crozant, Creuse department, September 12, 1921.  2 pp. One leaf. \"How kind it is of you to do something for me regarding Mr. Otto Kahn. I am very appreciative, believe me. It can be that he is still on his way. I would be lucky if I could come to meet him during my stopover in Paris from September 22 to October 1, before I will go to London. – Regarding the concerts of \u003ci\u003eLa Revue Musicale\u003c\/i\u003e, I thank you for having given thought to me. I know the goal that is so artistic that you pursue it and would be truly proud an happy to contribute my part to your work. ... If you like, I would be satisfied to play Scriabin's Tenth Sonata (his last), which has never been performed in France as I believe, and Mussorgsky's \u003ci\u003ePictures from an Exhibition, \u003c\/i\u003ewhich are in my repertory and of which I will send you the details if you need them for your program.\" Otto Hermann Kahn (1867-1934), a German-born banker based in New York, was a major supporter of the arts, and of the Metropolitan Opera in particular. On Long Island he built Oheka Castle, named for himself. 10.5 x 8 inches (27 x 21 cm).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e2. To unidentified male recipient (Henri Prunières?). No place, no date. Post card with a black-and-white group photograph. Autograph text is in effect caption of photograph: \"Dear Friend, I count on you for restarting my publicity campaign for the next season. I am sure you will put all your attention to it. On this card, there are, in the front row, from left to right, sitting next to my wife, Professor [Gaetano] Fichera , a well-known Italian man of letters, and in the second row you will see your servant [Braïlowsky] between Joseph Schraml on the left and the tenor [Beniamino] Gigli [1890-1957] on the right. The person seated a bit higher and behind is Gigli's secretary, and the person to his right is my Brazilian concert manager—Viggiani.\" Gaetano Fichera (1880-1935) was a physician and pathologist. The identity of \"Joseph Schraml\" is unknown; no link to the Schrammel family in Vienna could be established. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (13.8 x 8.8 cm).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eLouis-Joseph Diémer (1843-1919) (9):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eOne ALS (4 pp.) and 8 postcards by the French pianist, on personalized stationery, 1891-1916 (one post card not dated). In French. Three cards (1914-16) addressed to \"Monsieur Vivier\"; one card to \"mon chèr Jemain.\" Other recipients identified by sex only. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eAlfred Grünfeld (1852-1924):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePostcard of the Austrian pianist and composer, to Dr. Hans Müller, identified as a \"famous writer\" in the address field (could be part of the original address or later addition in unknown hand). In German. Baden, near Vienna, September 14, 1922. The recipient is probably the writer and (later) film author Hans Müller (1882-1950), who called himself \"Hans Müller-Einigen\" from 1930.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eHenri Herz (1803-1888) (10):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e10 ALS from the pianist, composer and piano maker, born in Austria as Heinrich Herz and based in Paris for most of his life.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e1. To \"Mademoiselle Kreisler.\" In French. [Paris,] September 15, 1825. \"Before spending the evening with a German countess, I will be able to let her hear some lively novelties from her country. If you could thus lend me the waltzes that you mentioned yesterday, you would please me greatly. I can return them to your tomorrow morning.\"\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e2. To \"Monsieur Janson, banquier à Paris.\" In French. Paris, October 7, 1828. Herz makes a payment of 1300 francs to the banker and promises 200 francs more.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e3. To a count (\"Monsieur le Comte\"). In French. Paris, May 11, 1856. Herz asks the recipient, who has supported him before, for a meeting to discuss a concert tour to Russia that has been proposed to him.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e4. To unidentified male (\"chèr ami\"). In French. Paris, January 4, 1860. Herz sends his best wishes, as his correspondent has fallen ill, and offers him a used piano.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e5. To Madame Benicas [?]. In French. Date \"Tuesday.\" Written in the third person: \"Mr. H. Herz will be at home between 3 and 4 o'clock and will have the opportunity of seeing Madame Benicas [?]. He has vividly regretted that he was not able to go and see these ladies, to whom he offers his affectionate compliments.\"\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e6. To unknown male recipient. In French. Date: \"January 5.\" Seemingly ungrammatical: \"You know, my friend, how much I decision [?] of this award that had been sure for your for such a long time! Consequently, I am really happy to see that at last, on had felt that it was necessary.\" \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e7. To \"Monsieur Barrère\" [?]. In French. Date: \"15th, 2 o'clock.\"\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e8. To unidentified male recipient. In French. Date: \"January 22.\" Herz congratulates the recipient on his \"spirited article of Tuesday\" (venue of publication is not given).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e9. To unidentified male recipient. In French. Date: \"Wednesday.\" Herz complains about ill-health, including a finger injury, that prevents him from playing the piano.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e10. To \"Herr Köpfer [?].\" In German. Date: \"Saturday.\" \"Responding to your respected letter, I have the honor to notify you of the fact that your proposal is absolutely just and acceptable. It is only that my current circumstances do not allow me to make any major decisions—even less so as I am inclined to make a journey of three or four months. Therefore I ask you, my best Mr. Köpfer [?], to excuse me if I cannot fulfill your wish at this moment. Your very devout friend and servant Heinrich [!] Herz.\"\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eAlfred Jaell (1832-1882); 1 ALS (3 pp.) by the Austrian pianist to [Franz] Abt (1819-1885), German conductor and composer in Braunschweig. In German. \"I feel free to tell you that I have no obligations on December 18 and that I am looking forward to appear in the specified subscription concert. Regarding the selection, it will be best for the audience to get some variety so that also poor music can be heard if I perform two salon pieces as the second number. What is the situation with grand pianos like? If Rittmüller [! recte Ritmüller] provides one, I would like to get one with a light touch and bright sound. In any case, I will arrive in Braunschweig on the 17th, as I assume that the rehearsal takes place in the morning of the 18th. I remain with the kindest regards until then, Respectfully yours, Alfred Jaell. Until December 6: Scheible's Hotel, Berlin. After December 6: Poste restante, Hamburg. [Program for Braunschweig follows:] I. Romance and Rondo from Chopin's Concerto in E minor with orchestra. II. a) Elisabeth's Prayer from Wagner's \u003ci\u003eTannhäuser\u003c\/i\u003e b) English Song, [both] transcribed and played by Alfred Jaell.\" Ritmüller was a piano maker in Göttingen; today, a Chinese company owns the brand. 8 x 5.5 inches (21 x 13.6 cm).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eSilvia Kind (1907-2002); 1 ALS (1 p.) by the Swiss pianist and harpsichordist to \"Herr Schneider,\" December 12, 1942. \"You know, I would like to play in Basel once. But I will not give a concert at my own risk, and the only one who could engage me, Paul Sacher with his comrades, does not do it.\" Upper 11.75 x 8.25 inches (29.5 x 21 cm).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTheodor Kullak (1818-1892) (5):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eFive ALS by the German pianist, composer, and educator. In German. Berlin, 1864-79. The chronologically last letter comes with an envelope identifying the recipient as \"Johannes Zschocher, Leipzig, Director of a musical institute\"; the other letters are probably addressed to him as well. Kullak was one of the three founders of the Stern'sches Konservatorium in Berlin (1850). Five years later he left and started his own school, the Neue Akademie Der Tonkunst, also in Berlin. In his heyday, he was the most esteemed piano teacher in Berlin. Johannes (or Johann) Zschocher (1821-1897) was a cellist and pianist, best known as a teacher. Various formats.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eLeopold von Meyer (1816-1883) (5):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eFive ALS by the Austrian pianist and composer. One in German, to the Viennese pianist, composer, and publisher Carl Haslinger (1816-1868), dated Nice (France), November 7, 1861. The others in French, three of them to the Parisian critic Léon Escudier (1821-1881), one of them dated \"20 London\" and another \"14 Okt [?] Bruxelles.\" Fifth letter to unidentified recipient. Various formats.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eEgon Petri (1881-1962) (2):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTwo ALS by the notable German-born Dutch, later American pianist (who never lived in the Netherlands and did not speak Dutch properly) to Polish-born pianist Wiktor Łabunśki (1895-1974), who lived in the U.S. from 1928. In English. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e1. New York, January 26, 1934, on stationery of Hotel Great Northern, New York. Petri recollects his recent concert tour through the U.S. with stops in Baltimore, Gulfport, Mississippi, Washington, D.C., and New York. He regrets that he was not able to see Łabunśki, who at the time held a teaching position in Memphis, Tennessee. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e2. Basel, Switzerland, November 13, 1957: \"Basel has turned out to be a grievous disappointment: barring one of my Californian students [Petri taught at Mills College in Oakland at the time] who followed me here, not a single pupil has registered for the 'Masterclass of 8' which had been promised [to] me. Even a very successful recital with touchingly warm welcome by the full house, lots of flowers, enthusiastic applause \u0026amp; even excellent reviews did not improve matters. Nor did 2 appearances with the Symphony Orchestra, where I had to substitute at moment's notice for Haskil (Clara) who had the 'flue [sic], playing the Mozart D minor with [Pierre] Monteux. ... I shall soon be back (by plane, I think—the Panama Canal route is partly very hot and, on the whole, boring, especially on account of the people on board)—I have an offer from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music which I have gladly accepted. It will be wonderful to be with Ulla [his wife] again \u0026amp; enjoy the California sunshine.\" He complains about feeling \"terribly lonely and depressed\" during his sojourn of three months in Basel, which has \"greatly changed—skyscrapers, horribly noisy traffic in its too narrow streets—there are still beautiful old parts, city gates—the Münster—the Rhine—the galleries—so the many miles I travelled were not entirely wasted.\" He gives his new residential address in Oakland, California. Frayed to head and foot.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eÉdouard Risler, 1873-1929 (3):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThree ALS. In French.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e1. To unidentified male recipient. May 1, 1924. Risler provides recipient with requested biography.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e2. To unidentified male recipient (recipient's name added in pencil in an unknown hand, but only first name is legible—\"Julien\"). Paris, October 15 [no year]. Stationery of Hôtel Regina, Paris. The recipient has asked Risler for tickets for an upcoming concert. Risler responds that tickets are available from a certain Barron (or Barran?), who engaged Risler for the concert.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e3. To unidentified male recipient. [Paris,] 2 Place des Saussaies (letterhead; probably Risler's address). Risler regretfully declines recipient's request for a concert (or several?), referring to his tight schedule, and expresses his hope to arrange something with recipient in the future.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46093789429919,"sku":"21680","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/4826\/7423\/files\/Pianists_of_the_19th_and_20th_centuries_Autograph_Letters_Signed_21680a.jpg?v=1722190390","url":"https:\/\/www.schubertiademusic.com\/products\/21680-pianists-backhaus-wilhelm-brailowsky-alexander-diemer-louis-joseph-grunfeld-alfred-herz-henri-jaell-alfred-kind-sylvia-kullak-theodor-181","provider":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}